On Tuesday, the BCCI informed to all the IPL franchises that the event will be "postponed indefinitely" after the lockdown to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic was extended till May 3, leaving no chance for the tournament to take place during the time. While it hasn't been officially announced yet but it is expected that the BCCI has spoken to all the stakeholders, including the eight franchises and the broadcasters, to convey that the event stands "postponed and not cancelled".

"Yes, the BCCI has intimated us that IPL has been postponed for the time being but they are hopeful of finding a window later this year as and when things normalise," a veteran franchise official said to PTI on conditions of anonymity.

It can be understood that BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah were waiting for the government directive and once the lockdown was extended till May 3 on Tuesday, they shared their decision as well. Ganguly had repeatedly said that the game cannot be a priority amid this situation where the people are struggling to live.

India have reported more than 10,000 positive cases so far with over 350 have lost their lives already. The IPL was supposed to take place from March 29 to May 24 at first. However, on March 13, the BCCI announced that the league would be pushed back till April 15 due to the restrictions placed on the entry of foreigners, which ruled out any international participation in the league as well.

The only window open for an IPL this year is between September and November, provided Cricket Australia and the ICC agree to postpone the T20 World Cup. However, the six-month travel restrictions in Australia will end on September 30 if the situation becomes better and the World Cup is scheduled in October-November as well.

The other option is having a curtailed IPL this year in six weeks between September and early October as it's highly unlikely that the Asia Cup will take place this year. On the other hand, England are also unlikely to travel for their white-ball series in India as well.